AT the second International Festival of Falconry held at Englefield Estate in Reading, UK, HRH Prince Andrew, the Duke of York was presented with a white female gyr falcon on behalf of Abu Dhabi by HH Sheikh Sultan bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, chairman of Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority.
The falcon was given to the Duke of York who is reported to have a keen interest in falcons, and it will be kept on his behalf at a breeding centre in the UK.
HH Al Nahyan said, "This was a great opportunity to reinforce the bonds of friendship between the UAE and the UK. At the festival the Duke of York experienced first hand the true art of falconry and its associated cultural elements which I’m sure brought the UAE story to life for him."
The Emirates Falconers’ Club representing falconers of the United Arab Emirates is the main festival sponsor and has for the past two editions of the festival contributed to the travel and accommodation costs of less well funded falconry countries.
The Duke of York also received a briefing on the UAE’s international submission to Unesco, on behalf of 12 falconry nations, for falconry to be recognised as part of the world’s intangible cultural heritage.
Visitors to the festival witnessed the 4,000 year old art of falconry and Bedouin culture through various falconry related activities and displays within the national tents and exhibits from the 50 participating nations from Europe, Arabia, Central and Southern Asia and South America.